Is this true?

[Meggies Eggs]

Somebody told me that sometimes an egg can slip back into a hens abdomen and the is nothing you can do and they die, does anybody know if this is true?
I'm asking because I had a hen die tonight that had been listless, not laying, but nibbling and drinking some. The trouble started when she got into the barn cat food and started laying eggs with soft rubbery shells.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome to BYC.
What you are talking about is most likely Egg Yolk Peritonitis (sometimes commonly know as internal laying). Yes, an egg or egg matter can slip back into the abdominal cavity. This can cause an infection and eventually can cause the hen to die.

I don't think cat food would cause much problems unless that was her only sources of food/nutrition for a good while. Soft rubbery shells can be caused by several different things. Do you have any photos of the egg that she laid?

The symptoms you describe can be caused by many other things besides an internal laying issue.Unfortunately without necropsy there is no way to tell what is the cause of death. Did you happen to open her up?


Egg problems:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/common-egg-quality-problems

Peritonitis and internal egg laying issues:
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/6-causes-of-chicken-swollen-abdomen.aspx

 

[Meggies Eggs]

this is the only picture I have. She was free range with my other girls, plus they have layer feed, corn, grit and oyster shell, meal worms treats too (2 handfuls a day for 60 birds)!

 

[Meggies Eggs]

I did not open her up, kinda wish I had now!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It looks like a soft shell egg.

It's possible that she may have had an internal laying problem.

So sorry.

 

[Meggies Eggs]

It sucks, but its part of the chicken world I guess.